Tool-handle construction



6 J z 4 1k July 29, 1930. H. w. EARNSHAW TOOL HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. so. 1926 7 I "Eu 21rd WEarns/zaw v way Q Patented July 29, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT o Fic HOWARD w. nannsnaw, on COLUMBUS, onro, ASSIGNOR T THELILLEY OMPANY,

- or COLUMBUS, onro, a conronA'rron 0F onto TOOL-HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Application filed December 30, 1926. Serial No. 158,1 11.

This invention relates to an improved handle construction adapted especially for use in connection with swords andother bladed instruments, and has for a primary object the provision of a handle structure which may be quickly, securely and positively connected with the handle shank of an instrument blade to the end that the handle section, and wherein the handle body is provided with an axially disposed bore or 'passageway in which the tool shank 1s received, the said bore or passage being somewhat smaller in diameter than thetool shank, 1n order that when the handle body 1s applied. to the tool shank it will have to be forced or pressed thereon in such manner that the corner edges of the tool shank w1ll cut or bite into the walls of the bore or passageway to a limited extent, thereby enabling the handle body to be rigidly and non-rotatably mounted in connection with the instrument or blade with which it is associated.

For a further understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawing,

, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the handle construction of a sword and illustrating the features of the present invention Figure 2 is a similar vlew taken through the handle construction on a plane at right angles to thatshown in Figure 1 a Figure 3 is a" detail C1OSSSGCt1OI12Ll new on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a similar view on the line 44 of Figure 1. a g

Referring "more particularly to the drawings the letter A indicates the blade of a sword, the letter B the hilt of the sword and the letter C the handle construction thereof.

While the features of the present invention are applicable to instruments and tools other than swords the latter will be employed hereinafter merely for convenience in speciiically defining the invention, although it is to be understood that the inventionhas much wider application and where possible invention'shall, be construed tocoverall of the various uses to whichit may be'placed. Q

In this instance, however, the blade A terminates in a shoulder 1 and then in anupwardly longitudinally extending, tapering shank 2. The shank is of substantially rectangular form in cross-section, as shown'in Figures 32and 4, and for reasons to be hereinafter explained. The hilt B or other cross member is formed with an axial opening for the reception of the lower or widest portion of the shank and rests upon the shoulder-,1,

of the shank 2. By reference to Figure 4 it will beobserved that the diameter of the bore or passageway 6 is slightly less than the diameter of the shank while the latter is measured between obliquely disposed corners. Since the body 5 is formed from a yieldable material, such as wood, composition, fiber,

bakelite or the like, it will be seen that when the handle body is driven downwardly upon the shank, the cornersof the latter, indicated at 7 will bite into the walls of the bore or passageway 6 so as to effect a secure union between the handle body and the shank,

This produces a construction of strong and durable form, and wherein the handle body will be non-rotatably mounted on the tool shank, preventing the undue loosening of the handle body, rattle and rotation thereof as is frequently encountered in constructions of ordinary form.

The handle body is provided at itsupper end with an outer ferrule 8 which also is provided with a tapering axial opening 9 for the reception of the outer end of the shank;

The opening 9, as is the bore or passageway 6, is formed so that the corner edges of the ferrule will penetrate the walls, as is disclosed in Figure 3, to prevent the rotation of said ferrule. If desired, a cross pin 10 may extend transversely through registering openings provided in the ferrule 8 and the shank 2, so as to positively lock the handle construction in its applied position upon the shan-k,'and to prevent the handle construction from being accidentally slipped ofi' or removed from the tool shank. V

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a simple and positive handle construction for swords and other manually wielded instruments. The construction has the advantage of being economical from a manufacturing stand point and at the same time positive and cilicient in operation.

What is claimed is: V

' In a tool, a blade provided at one end with a longitudinally extending outwardly tapering shank said shank being rectangular in cross-section and having a uniform thickness throughout its length, and a handle body for thereception of said shank formed with a tapering bore of oblong formation with its shortest diameter uniform throughout its length said bore possessing a diameter so that the corners defined by the meeting edges of the'walls of said shank will penetrate to a limited extent into the material defining the walls of said bore. V

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HOWARD W. EARNSHAWV. 

